CINCINNATI (AP) — Reds manager Dusty Baker pulled outfielder Jay Bruce aside and ended the suspense.

Yes, he had made his first All-Star team.

Bruce, first baseman Joey Votto and second baseman Brandon Phillips were voted onto the NL team by the major league players. It’s the second consecutive year for the two Reds infielders, but Bruce’s first such honor.

He got the news before Cincinnati’s 7-5 win over Cleveland on Sunday.

“I realized I had a chance to make it, but I also realized that there was a chance I wouldn’t make it,” said Bruce, who finished fifth among NL outfielders in the fans’ voting. “I’m excited about the opportunity. It’s going to be a lot of fun.

“As a kid, you dream about going to the All-Star game, and now it’s happened. I don’t want it to be the last one, that’s for sure.”

Bruce was the National League’s player of the month in May, but has dropped off in June. He’s batting .265 with a team-high 18 homers and 51 RBIs, one behind Votto for the team lead.

“Once you make it, people start recognizing who you are,” Baker said. “I just hope they finish strong going into the break. I’m really pleased with the fact that they were voted in by their peers, but you’ll take it any way you can get it.”

Votto was the NL MVP last season, the most consistent hitter during Cincinnati’s push to the NL Central title. He’s batting .313 with 12 homers and 52 RBIs. He finished second to Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder, who got 4.8 million votes. Votto had 4.2 million.

Last year, Votto was chosen by fans for one of the two final spots on the NL team for the game in Anaheim, Calif. He went 0 for 2.

“Last year was pretty complimentary, getting it from the fans, but anytime your peers choose you, to me that’s a sign of respect,” Votto said.

Phillips got 4.2 million votes, finishing second to Milwaukee’s Rickie Weeks with 4.4 million.

“Dusty called me into his office and said, ’You’re on the All-Star team,”’ Phillips said.